Police will have power to enforce the rules, which come into effect today
- Sainsbury’s and Asda say they won’t enforce English face mask laws
- In which shops do I have to wear face masks in England?
- Boris Johnson says ‘anti-vaxxers are nuts’
- Readers share their homemade masks stories
- Global coronavirus updates – live
12.22pm BST
My colleague Jason Rodrigues has been on Oxford Street this morning in London, where enforcement of England’s new face coverings rule has been “patchy” and “surprisingly casual”.
I tried to enter ten different stores on London’s Oxford Street this morning and enforcement of compulsory face coverings was patchy at best, six of the 10 didn’t ask if I had a mask. At one large fashion store, I was told I could enter but to bring a mask next time #facecovering
11.58am BST
Major high street names including Sainsbury’s, Asda and Co-Op have said they will not enforce a new law making the wearing of face masks compulsory in shops in England, my colleague Zoe Wood reports.
Related: Sainsbury’s and Asda say they won’t enforce English face mask laws
We’ll have in-store signage on the new rules around face coverings but we are clear that shop workers should not enforce the new legislation.
On a daily basis they face abuse, threatening behaviour and even physical assault. Our own figures show that during the Covid-19 crisis such instances have risen and enforcing the wearing of face masks could be another flashpoint.
We won’t be challenging customers without a mask when they enter or when they are in store since they may have a reason not to wear a mask. Karen
“Most people will follow the rules”
Care Minister, Helen Whately MP, tells #BBCBreakfast she doesn’t believe police enforcement will be needed when it comes to wearing face coverings in England. https://t.co/ab1XMXZbCp pic.twitter.com/ael6QYlSjc
What we are saying is that we are not expecting people to carry proof that they are exempt. There are some people who are exempt from this. We are expecting people to be reasonable about this. And we don’t want to see members of the public accosted for not wearing a face mask. We absolutely want the vast majority of people to be wearing face masks when they are going into shops.
Continue reading…Police will have power to enforce the rules, which come into effect todaySainsbury’s and Asda say they won’t enforce English face mask lawsIn which shops do I have to wear face masks in England?Boris Johnson says ‘anti-vaxxers are nuts’Readers share their homemade masks storiesGlobal coronavirus updates – live 12.22pm BSTMy colleague Jason Rodrigues has been on Oxford Street this morning in London, where enforcement of England’s new face coverings rule has been “patchy” and “surprisingly casual”. I tried to enter ten different stores on London’s Oxford Street this morning and enforcement of compulsory face coverings was patchy at best, six of the 10 didn’t ask if I had a mask. At one large fashion store, I was told I could enter but to bring a mask next time #facecovering 11.58am BSTMajor high street names including Sainsbury’s, Asda and Co-Op have said they will not enforce a new law making the wearing of face masks compulsory in shops in England, my colleague Zoe Wood reports. Related: Sainsbury’s and Asda say they won’t enforce English face mask laws We’ll have in-store signage on the new rules around face coverings but we are clear that shop workers should not enforce the new legislation.On a daily basis they face abuse, threatening behaviour and even physical assault. Our own figures show that during the Covid-19 crisis such instances have risen and enforcing the wearing of face masks could be another flashpoint.We won’t be challenging customers without a mask when they enter or when they are in store since they may have a reason not to wear a mask. Karen”Most people will follow the rules”Care Minister, Helen Whately MP, tells #BBCBreakfast she doesn’t believe police enforcement will be needed when it comes to wearing face coverings in England. https://t.co/ab1XMXZbCp pic.twitter.com/ael6QYlSjcWhat we are saying is that we are not expecting people to carry proof that they are exempt. There are some people who are exempt from this. We are expecting people to be reasonable about this. And we don’t want to see members of the public accosted for not wearing a face mask. We absolutely want the vast majority of people to be wearing face masks when they are going into shops. Continue reading…